Senior Contract Administrator Linear Water/Wastewater

We are seeking an experienced Senior Contract Administrator to join our Field Services team and support the delivery of complex water and wastewater linear infrastructure projects. This role is ideal for professionals with 10+ years of contract administration experience on sewer, watermain, and road restoration projects. You’ll bring a strong multidisciplinary construction background, a solid understanding of consultant responsibilities, and the ability to lead and mentor inspection teams while coordinating effectively with designers, contractors, and project stakeholders. This position is based out of our Guelph, Mississauga, or Hamilton offices and includes regular, hands‑on field involvement.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be part of a collaborative team that values initiative, curiosity, and follow‑through. Key responsibilities include:

• Administering construction contracts between owners and contractors in accordance with all contractual requirements.


• Coordinating, tracking, and ensuring timely return of submittals, shop drawings, and RFIs.


• Preparing and issuing Site Instructions (SIs) and Requests for Quotation (RFQs).


• Investigating and responding to Contractor Requests for Information (RFIs).


• Liaising with clients, contractors, designers, operations personnel, and all project stakeholders.


• Organizing, leading, and documenting regular project progress meetings.


• Conducting regular site visits to monitor construction progress, identify emerging issues, and support issue resolution.


• Reviewing contractor progress payment applications/proper invoices and issuing payment verification or certification.


• Assessing contractor change requests and claims, and participating in negotiations.


• Reviewing and verifying project as‑built documentation.


• Coordinating specialist inspections performed by subconsultants or specialist inspectors.


• Providing constructability feedback during design phases and reviewing design drawings.


• Supporting tendering processes, including preparation, review, and coordination of tender packages.


• Supporting the negotiation, recommendation, and award of construction contracts.


• Ensuring adherence to safety, environmental, and traffic control plans.


• Maintaining accurate project documentation and records throughout the project lifecycle.


• Supervising and supporting Construction Inspectors assigned to your projects.


• Supporting evening or weekend work as required by project schedules.

What You Bring

We’re looking for someone who enjoys solving problems and takes pride in doing quality work. You’ll succeed if you have:

• A diploma in Civil Engineering Technology or education in a related discipline.


• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated contract administration experience on sewer, watermain, and road restoration projects.


• Strong understanding of trenching safety, traffic control, and restoration practices.


• Ability to interpret contract documents and engineering drawings.


• Solid knowledge of construction materials, methods, and scheduling.


• Familiarity with building codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.


• Understanding of OHSA and construction regulations.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.


• Excellent organizational, communication, and record‑keeping skills.


• A valid driver’s license and regular access to a vehicle.


• Experience assessing and negotiating change requests and claims.


• Familiarity with municipal standards and specifications.


• Leadership experience supporting or supervising construction inspectors.


• Strong stakeholder‑coordination skills and confidence leading project meetings.

Salary Range: $95,000 - $120,000

The final compensation offered will be based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

Position Type: New Position

Why Choose Burnside?

Are you interested in working for an employer with a 5-decade track record of building a great reputation both internally with their staff and externally with their clients? The Burnside team is a supportive group of colleagues that work together to provide value and service to our clients, while extending care to each other. We know that our employees are our greatest asset, and thus we strive to provide a positive work/life balance.

We offer:

• A collaborative culture where friendship, honesty and respect are part of our core values and practices


• Flexible working hours, including hybrid working opportunities


• A competitive compensation and benefits package


• RRSP company matching plan


• Career growth and professional development opportunities


• Potential for performance-driven bonusing


• Active social committees


• A welcoming, positive, and inclusive work environment

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to valuing diversity in the workplace and we welcome resumes from all qualified candidates. Burnside will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the entire recruitment, assessment, and selection process, as required.  If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation during these processes, please contact our Human Resources department.

Company Profile – More about us:

Founded in 1970, R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited is a growing values-driven Canadian employee-owned, led and operated Civil and Environmental Engineering Consulting Firm with over 450 professional, technical and support staff. Our consistent commitment towards investing in technology advancements and training, in addition to encouraging and promoting professional development, has enabled our firm to meet our ongoing and stated goal of continual improvement.

We actively seek to develop relationships with a broad and diversified client base in the Public, Private and Indigenous sectors. We work on a variety of projects throughout Canada, with 12 office locations (11 in Ontario and one in Manitoba).

Burnside has expertise in many technical disciplines beyond our core civil engineering focus including   air and noise, asset management, bridges & culverts, building sciences, environmental planning and ecology, GIS, hydrogeology, land development, landscape architecture, municipal engineering, municipal drainage, solid waste, stormwater management, structures, traffic, transportation planning and design, water and wastewater and well drilling & diagnostics.

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